The Eyes are the Window to your Soul

Walk down memory lane with me for a little while.  The date is August 27, 2001, and I am walking on campus at Florida State University for my very first day of classes (I transferred in as a junior).  My entire first semester was filled with Social Work classes and they were all located in Doak Campbell Stadium.  For those fellow Seminole Football fans, you know what a big deal this was!  Well, I had a mandatory class called "Interviewing and Recording."  I learned something that very first day that has stuck with me since... looking into someone's eyes can tell you more than a single word coming out of their mouth.  There is a saying that the eyes are the window to the soul.  I wholeheartedly agree.  Eyes speak volumes and contain hurt, pain, sadness, loss, happiness, joy, pride, and hope.

If I were to ask you to think of an iconic photo of someone's eyes, what would you say?  The first one that comes to my mind is this photograph by Steve McCurry that was published in 1985.  You don't have to know one ounce of background info on the girl or the cover story, and yet the impact is still there.  And we didn't know any of her background info until seventeen years later when McCurry was able to locate her once again.  Seventeen years later, her eyes still tell a story.  You can see a side by side photo of her before and seventeen years later here.

When you are taking someone's photo ~ whether it is a photo of your children, an event, photojournalism, or a paid shoot ~ you must take into account the eyes.  What are the eyes saying?  What story do they tell?  If you cannot connect with the eyes, your viewer will not be able to either.  Don't get me wrong, there are times when you want to creatively do something different, like a silhouette or a photo from behind.  But if you have the subject's face as the main focal point, focus on the eyes.  If you can command this, you will have emotionally charged and connected photographs that will convey the totality of the moment.

Silhouette of Girl Running on Beach at Sunset

ISO 100 ~ 22mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/100 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Girl with Umbrella ~ View from Behind

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/3.5 ~ 1/1250 sec

© Corrie M Avila

As a young girl, I remember the photo referenced above from National Geographic and it made an impact even in my youth.  Take the time to connect with your subject.  Don't just jump into "photo" mode immediately.  Step back and take a look around.  Talk to your subject, make eye contact (if culturally appropriate), and connect.

eyes are the focal point with a natural catchlight from nearby window

ISO 400 ~ 44mm ~ f/5.0 ~ 1/8 sec

© Corrie M Avila

even though hands are shading the eyes, this creates a mysterious feel.  if you could not see the eyes at all, this photo would not be effective

ISO 400 ~ 53mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/80 sec

© Corrie M Avila

here the eyes are closed as the child is sleeping, however, putting the focal point on the eyelashes still brings the emotional connection to the eyes

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1.3 sec

© Corrie M Avila

This falls true even with animals.  When photographing an animal, if all you see is the back of the animal's head, it will be missing the intimate connection of eye contact.  Wait for the animal to look around and capture the photo at the moment you can connect with the eyes.

Side View ~ not as intense

ISO 200 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/400 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Fierce Eye Contact

ISO 100 ~ 300mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/320 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Get to know your subject, make a connection, search the depths of their souls, photograph the eyes.  I promise you will see a difference immediately in your photographs.

my love <3

ISO 800 ~ 53mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/80 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Happy Shooting!

Corrie <3